Demystifying 16-Strand Kumihimo: How to Read Complex Flower Patterns Without Going Crazy

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You’ve mastered the basic 8-strand round braid. Your hands move automatically, your muscle memory is locked in, and your tension is perfectly even. But the moment you decide to level up your craft and open a diagram for a 16-strand flower pattern, your confidence hits a wall. The chart looks less like a fun craft tutorial and more like advanced ancient hieroglyphics. Trying to track 16 distinct strings crossing back and forth across a foam disk is enough to make any crafter want to put their supplies away. But here is the good news: you do not need a degree in geometry to build gorgeous floral braids. You just need to change how your brain interprets the chart. How to Read a 16-Strand Pattern (Featured Snippet Target): To decode a 16-strand Kumihimo flower pattern easily, stop tracking individual strands and focus entirely on slot pairings and quadrants . Instead of following single threads across the wheel, organize your 16 strands into four direct...
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Kumihimo Instructions - Kumihimo Round Braids

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kumihimo instructions
Here's what you'll need:
  • 7 strands of yarn, floss, or string - 12" each
  • Octagon-shaped disk made from foam, cardboard or plastic.  The disk needs a hole in the center and a slit on each of the eight sides.

General Instructions:
  • Hold the ends of the 7 strands together and tie a knot.
  • Put the knot through the hole of the disk from top to bottom.
  • Hold the knot with one hand under the disk. The untied ends of the yarn are on top of the disk. With your other hand, place each strand in a slit, leaving one slit open.
  • Hold the disk so that the open slit is towards your body.
  • Count to the third strand to the right of the open slit. Take that strand and move it to the open slit.
  • Rotate the disk clockwise so that the open slit is towards your body.
  • Again, count to the third strand to the right of the open slit. Take that strand and move it to the open slit. Rotate the disk. Repeat these two steps until your braid is the length you want.
  • To end the braid, remove the yarn from the disk. Tie a knot in the end.

Comments

  1. tfkMay 21, 2016 at 12:53 PM

    thank you! so simple and reminded me how to do it...

    ReplyDelete
  2. Helenmay CrochetJune 19, 2016 at 8:26 AM

    Thank you! I shared on my Facebook page.

    ReplyDelete

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